Wheel dollies for trucks, how would you make them?

Strouty · Jan 4, 2017

I have some 10,000 pound rated wheel dollies made by merrick (auto dolly) and they are OK in a straight line with my suburban (about 8000 pounds) on it, but as soon as you change direction it is all but impossible for one person to manuever the truck. I am thinking that there are a few problems, one is the type of swivel the caster uses, another is the diameter of the wheels, and lastly the quantity of them. I am thinking of custom making some so that each tire rests on three larger wheels in a cradle. I can get casters with taller, skinnier wheels with capacities of over 1000 pounds each.

The manufacturer makes heavier duty versions, but they go about it by adding more of the same wheels to a larger plate. I think that would make things worse??? It is fine once you get the casters going the same direction, but they use 5 people to move a heavy truck and I don't have that many friends.

How would you build them?

Casters I am looking at are a kingpinless design, so they should be the toughest I can find without making my own swivel bases, and that is not out of the question either.

Thanks guys

Strouty · Jan 4, 2017

Here are some links for further investigation.

Casters

Super duty dolly

I want to be able to make these work for medium duty trucks as well, so probably looking ultimately to make some that will handle 8000 pounds per dolly.

skipnay · Jan 4, 2017

I run into the same problem when I try and use mine with my diesel. Mine are 1500 pound per dolly. I double up the front when I try to move my diesel. So that is 6,000 pounds for the front. But I still have the same problem as you do.

Strouty · Jan 4, 2017

I am not sure if a larger diameter swivel bearing is all that is needed or if the wheels need to be taller and skinnier as well. The dollies work well with my cars, just not the trucks.

lakeroadster · Jan 4, 2017

The larger the diameter of the swivel bearing, the lower the psi. It would therefore reason that bigger is better... or the more dollies per wheel is better

Part of the issue may be surface finish related, caster to floor. (As shown in the linked video)

I've found a lot of the "movability" has to do with the surface texture of the concrete / or asphalt your moving the vehicle on.

Our attached garage is very smooth.. dangerously so... but it makes moving items with casters a breeze.

The ideal set-up would be smooth steel on smooth steel... think locomotive.

What would be super slick, literally, would be an air bearing under each tire, on a polished floor... as in levitation.

Strouty · Jan 4, 2017

My floor is by no means polished, but once they are all in the right direction it is manageable.

Strouty · Jan 4, 2017

These are the best I have seen so far.

Strouty · Jan 4, 2017

Maybe even better design.

lakeroadster · Jan 4, 2017

Strouty said:
Maybe even better design.

Slick!

Same Product, Actual Use

Movover · Jan 4, 2017

I like the 2nd design better, less/bigger wheels and spread out more. The problem with a smaller unit with a lot of wheels is like you see is trying to get all the wheels to turn the same direction, if a few get locked up then you are stuck.

Strouty · Jan 4, 2017

That may be the best design I have seen, six wheels means easier to turn too. The design I had was for 12 wheels. I have also been eyeing pallet jacks and trying to think of a way to use them.

Strouty · Jan 4, 2017

I have been looking at heavy duty casters, they are expensive! I guess I will have to check my stock and see what I can come up with. Hopefully I can find six heavy duty ones. If I had to buy one or two that match it may be doable. I guess I could start with lighter duty ones and change them out when I find heavier ones. Anyone have a good source for 3000 pound or higher capacity casters?

bimmer1980 · Jan 5, 2017

I don't want to sound like a negative nancy here....... But just a reality check...

What about skipping the new wheel dollies and focus your time, energy and money on getting the 'burbans road worthy?

Or do you anticipate them not being movable under their own power for a really long time?

I'm all for a neat project, but just think about your end goal here.....

Would a couple of drilled anchor ports in the floor and the cable come-along be sufficient for a few moves?

BajaScout · Jan 5, 2017

Strouty said:
I have been looking at heavy duty casters, they are expensive! I guess I will have to check my stock and see what I can come up with. Hopefully I can find six heavy duty ones. If I had to buy one or two that match it may be doable. I guess I could start with lighter duty ones and change them out when I find heavier ones. Anyone have a good source for 3000 pound or higher capacity casters?

This is where I get my casters. They have an Ebay store so I would assume they ship. IF not, is there a similar surplus store in your area?

http://www.ksurplus.com

BajaScout · Jan 5, 2017

bimmer1980 said:
I don't want to sound like a negative nancy here....... But just a reality check...

What about skipping the new wheel dollies and focus your time, energy and money on getting the 'burbans road worthy?

Or do you anticipate them not being movable under their own power for a really long time?

I'm all for a neat project, but just think about your end goal here.....

Would a couple of drilled anchor ports in the floor and the cable come-along be sufficient for a few moves?

The wheel dollies would be useful for many more projects to come. I agree though as I am one to lose focus and spend more time on the side projects vice the real goal. Good point!

Strouty · Jan 5, 2017

Yup, these are way down on the priority list, but definitely a great project to put on my list. I did get the trucks moved, it just took a lot longer than it would have if I had some slick setup. I will definitely be making some custom ones that are designed to move much larger trucks. I think they would be invaluable in my future projects.

Strouty · Jan 5, 2017

I did find some good size casters in my stock pile, they appear to be Albion and if they are what I think they are, the rating is 2500 pounds per caster, so they would work well for pickup trucks.

BajaScout · Jan 5, 2017

Do you have 16 of those casters? If so, you have a complete set.

Strouty · Jan 5, 2017

To do what I want only requires 6 casters, I am not sure how many I have, but I think I have 10 or more. I am trying to go with less wheels so it is easier to change directions.

Aussie Mike · Jan 6, 2017

I built a heap of dollies to move shipping containers. One of the keys is keeping the mounting plate parallel to the floor. Any angle and the castor will not swivel nicely and tend to want to sit at one position.

We fit out the shipping containers as transportable equipment rooms and the finished container weighs about 6 tons or so. 4 people can fairly easily maneuver them across the factory floor. The trick is to move slow as stopping it can be tricky once it gets going.

Cheers
Mike

Aussie Mike · Jan 6, 2017

The castors I used are rated at about 2 tons each from memory and the wheel is about 10" in diameter. They have a tapered roller bearing setup for the swivel.

Cheers
Mike

Aussie Mike · Jan 6, 2017

I knocked these up the other day for a friend's car restoration. They bolt directly to the suspension pickup points and work surprisingly well. Only fixed at 2 points but plenty rigid enough for a body shell. Any heavier and I reckon mounting them at 4 points each would be needed.

One person can easily maneuver the body shell.

Cheers

Mike

Strouty · Jan 6, 2017

Those look nice, good tip about being parallel to the floor.

bimmer1980 · Jan 6, 2017

Strouty said:
To do what I want only requires 6 casters, I am not sure how many I have, but I think I have 10 or more. I am trying to go with less wheels so it is easier to change directions.

Ok, This seems like an easier plan than making four of the under-wheel dollies....

That iron worker would make short work of punching all the holes!!

Strouty · Jan 6, 2017

Yeah it would, except I don't know if it works.

skipnay · Jan 6, 2017

AussieMike I'm going to make something like that... Think I might even make it the same height just like if tires was on it!!!

Aussie Mike · Jan 7, 2017

I made the car dollies a little higher than ride height to make it easier for Laurie to get down and paint the sill areas.

Cheers

Mike

bagged150 · Feb 1, 2017

Strouty said:
To do what I want only requires 6 casters, I am not sure how many I have, but I think I have 10 or more. I am trying to go with less wheels so it is easier to change directions.

So did you actually buy these, and how do they work. I am trying to watch the jay leno video and they look real nice.

Strouty · Feb 1, 2017

I plan on building some.

bagged150 · Feb 1, 2017

Im actually not sure how those would work. It seems that if you have a truck or something that is higher off the ground, then the mounts wouldn't be high enough to keep the truck off the ground.

Strouty · Feb 1, 2017

Yup, that is why mine will be adjustable height.

az45 · Feb 1, 2017

I built these to move chassis around my shop. They bolt together so I can build differant heights as needed. The adjustable jack pads are from an old hoist, the plates have re-cap rubber glued to them.

Strouty · Feb 1, 2017

Those are pretty slick, thanks for sharing them.

Wheel dollies for trucks, how would you make them?

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member